The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers.
Today we introduce you to Software Engineer Patrick O’Brien. As a member of our Technology Services Team, Patrick focuses on enhancements of our software products and creates user-friendly tools that deliver a more efficient, hassle-free experience for our customers and their attendees.
Meet Patrick O’Brien, Software Engineer
Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Restorative, Intellection, Connectedness, Analytical, Responsibility
Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?
I’m a software engineer here at MTA. I work primarily on enhancing our existing software assets as well as creating new tools for our internal team and customers, such as our new Attend mobile app. I’m known as the iOS guy on the team and I love that. Working on bringing this app to iPhones, iPads, and desktops has been a fun experience. Don’t worry if you’re an Android user, our team has that covered too.
How long have you been with MTA? Since 2023
What did you do before joining MTA?
I worked in a few healthcare-related startups here in San Diego – that’s right, actual brick-and-mortar offices. One of the places I worked was focusing on chiropractic software so that was interesting talking to chiropractors about their office management needs and translating that into a software deliverable. Another startup I work with specialized in pet health. As an animal lover and pet parent myself, the work we did there was very rewarding for me.
Languages spoken, if applicable.
Outside of programming languages, I currently only speak English. But I’ve been working hard on French Duolingo lessons so hopefully soon I’ll be able to say “Je parle français et anglais,” but not quite yet.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The team. Hands down this is the best team I’ve ever been lucky enough to work with. Everyone is humble, collaborative, knowledgeable, and willing to learn. There are no egos. All that matters is the work we are doing and making sure it is done right. Plus, everyone is so friendly. It’s really fun working with this team.
Where do you live and what do you love most about your state/city? Any must-see tourist spots?
I live in San Diego, California so pretty much everywhere is a must-see tourist spot. But I really love the culture of this city. We’re laid back but driven. People still smile and say hello here when you pass by them. I also love the convenience of living in a city. There is always something happening here, be it a farmer’s market, some kind of entertainment event, or something else, it’s never boring here.
What do you do for fun?
I’m a big football (soccer) fan. I follow three leagues and just absolutely love the sport. In the English Premier League, I’m a Manchester United supporter; with Major League Soccer here in the U.S., I support LAFC (let’s go 3252!); and in the German Bundesliga, I follow Bayern Munich. It’s great to see the sport growing so much support here in the States. I also love running. I find that going for a run can clear my mind and help me find the calm I need when starting my day or during really stressful times.
What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?
MTA is people-focused, meaning that the work we do across all departments is focused not just on the event or the company we are supporting but also on the people who will be attending the event(s) and the experience they have. Speaking specifically from a technical aspect, I can tell you the new Attend mobile/desktop app has been created with a user-friendly approach; we’re constantly asking ourselves does this make sense to the user and is this experience one that is intuitive and automatic for a new user.
What are some of your favorite tech trends?
My most favorite tech trend is the adoption of passkeys. I always forget my passwords and even when I use password managers like Apple’s keychain I end up with multiple passwords for each website or service I am trying to log into. It can get confusing, so I think passkeys will help with that.
Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?
Meeting my coworkers face-to-face is incredibly helpful for a new employee. I was able to put faces to names and have work-related conversations that are difficult to reproduce online. It was also great to have some downtime with the team to just chat about non-work-related things and get to know them. Leaving the Workshop, I felt a part of something and I continue to feel that today. The workshop helped instill a sense of purpose about what we do and how my department contributes to that purpose.
To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com.
